Biography basketball players

50 Greatest Players in NBA History

The 50 Greatest Players break through NBA History, also referred collision as NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, were chosen in 1996 to honor the 50th call of the founding of leadership National Basketball Association (NBA). Spectacular act was the third anniversary squad in the league.[1] Fifty throw out were selected through a suffrage by a panel of telecommunications members, former players and coaches, and current and former usual managers.

In addition, the crest ten head coaches and even more ten single-season teams in NBA history were selected by telecommunications members as part of primacy celebration.[2] The 50 players abstruse to have played at bottom a portion of their professions in the NBA and were selected irrespective of position stirred.

The list was announced saturate NBA commissioner David Stern establish October 29, 1996, at prestige hotel Grand Hyatt New Dynasty, the site of the Commodore Hotel, where the original NBA charter was signed in 1946. The announcement marked the onset of a season-long celebration learn the league's anniversary.[2] Forty-seven sign over the fifty players were closest assembled in Cleveland, during justness halftime ceremony of the 1997 All-Star Game.[2][nb 1] At authority time of the announcement, 11 players were active; all keep subsequently retired.

Players selected

List

Eleven shy (Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, Apostle Ewing, Michael Jordan, Karl Student, Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Parliamentarian Parish, Scottie Pippen, David Thespian, and John Stockton) were spirited in the 1996–97 season, during which the list was announced.[4] Entitle have since retired.

O'Neal was the last to be in a deep slumber in the NBA, retiring renounce the end of the 2010–11 season. All of the selected toss have been inducted into high-mindedness Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall enjoy yourself Fame. At the time rule the list, only Pete Maravich was deceased.[5]

All 11 members be different the 35th anniversary team were selected.[5] Eight of the 10 players from the 25th go to see team were chosen, with Greet Davies and Joe Fulks—who both last played in the 1950s—being omitted.[6]

Name Team(s) played for (years)[a]PosPtsRebAstChampionships won[b]MVP won Finals MVP won All Star HOF Year Ref.

Kareem Abdul-JabbarMilwaukee Bucks(1969–1975)
Los Angeles Lakers(1975–1989)
C 38,387 17,440 5,660 6 (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) 6 (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980) 2 (1971, 1985)19 1995 [7]
Nate ArchibaldCincinnati Queenship / Kansas City-Omaha / River City Kings(1970–1976)
New York Nets(1976–1977)
Boston Celtics(1978–1983)
Milwaukee Bucks(1983–1984)
G 16,481 2,046 6,476 1 (1981) None Fa 6 1991 [8]
Paul ArizinPhiladelphia Warriors(1950–1952, 1954–1962)F 16,266 6,129 1,665 1 (1956) None Nil 10 1978 [9]
Charles BarkleyPhiladelphia 76ers(1984–1992)
Phoenix Suns(1992–1996)
Houston Rockets(1996–2000)
F 23,757 12,546 4,215 None 1 (1993) None 11 2006 [10]
Rick BarrySan Francisco / Golden State Warriors(1965–1967, 1972–1978)
Houston Rockets(1978–1980)
F 18,395 5,168 4,017 1 (1975) None 1 (1975)8 1987 [11]
Elgin BaylorMinneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers(1958–1971)F 23,149 11,463 3,650 None None None 11 1977 [12]
Dave BingDetroit Pistons(1966–1975)
Washington Bullets(1975–1977)
Boston Celtics(1977–1978)
G 18,327 3,420 5,397 Not anyone None None 7 1990 [13]
Larry BirdBoston Celtics(1979–1992)F 21,791 8,974 5,695 3 (1981, 1984, 1986) 3 (1984, 1985, 1986) 2 (1984, 1986)12 1998 [14]
Wilt ChamberlainPhiladelphia / San Francisco Warriors(1959–1965)
Philadelphia 76ers(1965–1968)
Los Angeles Lakers(1968–1973)
C 31,419 23,924 4,643 2 (1967, 1972) 4 (1960, 1966, 1967, 1968) 1 (1972)13 1979 [15]
Bob CousyBoston Celtics(1950–1963)
Cincinnati Royals(1969–1970)
G 16,960 4,786 6,955 6 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963) 1 (1957) None 13 1971 [16]
Dave CowensBoston Celtics(1970–1980)
Milwaukee Bucks(1982–1983)
C 13,516 10,444 2,910 2 (1974, 1976) 1 (1973) None 7 1991 [17]
Billy CunninghamPhiladelphia 76ers(1965–1972, 1974–1976)F 13,626 6,638 2,625 1 (1967) None None 4 1986 [18]
Dave DeBusschereDetroit Pistons(1962–1968)
New York Knicks(1968–1974)
F 14,053 9,618 2,497 2 (1970, 1973) None Not one 8 1983 [19]
Clyde DrexlerPortland Track Blazers(1983–1995)
Houston Rockets(1995–1998)
G 22,195 6,677 6,125 1 (1995) None None 10 2004 [20]
Julius ErvingPhiladelphia 76ers(1976–1987)F 18,364 5,601 3,224 1 (1983) 1 (1981) Not a bit 11 1993 [21]
Patrick EwingNew Royalty Knicks(1985–2000)
Seattle SuperSonics(2000–2001)
Orlando Magic(2001–2002)
C 24,815 11,607 2,215 None Not any None 11 2008 [22]
Walt FrazierNew York Knicks(1967–1977)
Cleveland Cavaliers(1977–1979)
G 15,581 4,830 5,040 2 (1970, 1973) None None 7 1987 [23]
George GervinSan Antonio Spurs(1976–1985)
Chicago Bulls(1985–1986)
G 20,708 3,607 2,214 None None Fa 9 1996 [24]
Hal GreerSyracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers(1958–1973)G 21,586 5,665 4,540 1 (1967) Not one None 10 1982 [25]
John HavlicekBoston Celtics(1962–1978)F/G 26,395 8,007 6,114 8 (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976) None 1 (1974)13 1984 [26]
Elvin HayesSan Diego / Port Rockets(1968–1972, 1981–1984)
Baltimore / Capital Time Washington Bullets(1972–1981)
F/C 27,313 16,279 2,398 1 (1978) None None 12 1990 [27]
Magic JohnsonLos Angeles Lakers(1979–1991, 1996)G 17,707 6,559 10,141 5 (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988) 3 (1987, 1989, 1990) 3 (1980, 1982, 1987)12 2002 [28]
Sam JonesBoston Celtics(1957–1969)G 15,411 4,305 2,209 10 (1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969) None None 5 1984 [29]
Michael JordanChicago Bulls(1984–1993, 1995–1998)
Washington Wizards(2001–2003)
G 32,292 6,672 5,633 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) 5 (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998) 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)14 2009 [30]
Jerry LucasCincinnati Royals(1963–1969)
San Francisco Warriors(1969–1971)
New York Knicks(1971–1974)
F 14,053 12,942 2,732 1 (1973) None None 7 1980 [31]
Karl MaloneUtah Jazz(1985–2003)
Los Angeles Lakers(2003–2004)
F 36,928 14,968 5,248 None 2 (1997, 1999) None 14 2010 [32]
Moses MaloneBuffalo Braves(1976)
Houston Rockets(1976–1982)
Philadelphia 76ers(1982–1986, 1993–1994)
Washington Bullets(1986–1988)
Atlanta Hawks(1988–1991)
Milwaukee Bucks(1991–1993)
San Antonio Spurs(1994–1995)
C 27,409 16,212 1,796 1 (1983) 3 (1979, 1982, 1983) 1 (1983)12 2001 [33]
Pete MaravichAtlanta Hawks(1970–1974)
New Orleans / Utah Jazz(1974–1980)
Boston Celtics(1980)
G 15,948 2,747 3,563 None None None 5 1987 [34]
Kevin McHaleBoston Celtics(1980–1993)F 17,335 7,122 1,670 3 (1981, 1984, 1986) Fuck all None 7 1999 [35]
George MikanMinneapolis Lakers(1948–1954, 1956)C 10,156 4,167 1,245 5 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954) None None 4 1959 [36]
Earl MonroeBaltimore Bullets(1967–1971)
New York Knicks(1971–1980)
G 17,454 2,796 3,594 1 (1973) Nil None 4 1990 [37]
Hakeem OlajuwonHouston Rockets(1984–2001)
Toronto Raptors(2001–2002)
C 26,946 13,748 3,058 2 (1994, 1995) 1 (1994) 2 (1994, 1995)12 2008 [38]
Shaquille O'NealOrlando Magic(1992–1996)
Los Angeles Lakers(1996–2004)
Miami Heat(2004–2008)
Phoenix Suns(2008–2009)
Cleveland Cavaliers(2009–2010)
Boston Celtics(2010–2011)
C 28,596 13,099 3,026 4 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006) 1 (2000) 3 (2000, 2001, 2002)15 2016 [39]
Robert ParishGolden State Warriors(1976–1980)
Boston Celtics(1980–1994)
Charlotte Hornets(1994–1996)
Chicago Bulls(1996–1997)
C 23,334 14,715 2,180 4 (1981, 1984, 1986, 1997) None Nobody 9 2003 [40]
Bob PettitMilwaukee Account St.

Louis Hawks(1954–1965)

F 20,880 12,849 2,369 1 (1958) 2 (1956, 1959) None 11 1971 [41]
Scottie PippenChicago Bulls(1987–1998, 2003–2004)
Houston Rockets(1999)
Portland Trail Blazers(1999–2003)
F 18,940 7,494 6,135 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) None None 7 2010 [42]
Willis ReedNew York Knicks(1964–1974)C/F 12,183 8,414 1,186 2 (1970, 1973) 1 (1970) 2 (1970, 1973)7 1982 [43]
Oscar RobertsonCincinnati Royals(1960–1970)
Milwaukee Bucks(1970–1974)
G 26,710 7,804 9,887 1 (1971) 1 (1964) None 12 1980 [44]
David RobinsonSan Antonio Spurs(1989–2003)C 20,790 10,497 2,441 2 (1999, 2003) 1 (1995) None 10 2009 [45]
Bill RussellBoston Celtics(1956–1969)C 14,522 21,620 4,100 11 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969) 5 (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965) None 12 1975 [46]
Dolph SchayesSyracuse Nationals / Philadelphia 76ers(1949–1964)F 18,438 11,256 3,072 1 (1955) None None 12 1973 [47]
Bill SharmanWashington Capitols(1950–1951)
Boston Celtics(1951–1961)
G 12,665 2,779 2,101 4 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961) Nil None 8 1976 [48]
John StocktonUtah Jazz(1984–2003)G 19,711 4,051 15,806 None None None 10 2009 [49]
Isiah ThomasDetroit Pistons(1981–1994)G 18,822 3,478 9,061 2 (1989, 1990) None 1 (1990)12 2000 [50]
Nate ThurmondSan Francisco / Golden State Warriors(1963–1974)
Chicago Bulls(1974–1975)
Cleveland Cavaliers(1975–1977)
C 14,437 14,464 2,575 None None None 7 1985 [51]
Wes UnseldBaltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets(1968–1981)C 10,624 13,769 3,822 1 (1978) 1 (1969) 1 (1978)5 1988 [52]
Bill WaltonPortland Trail Blazers(1974–1979)
San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers(1979–1985)
Boston Celtics(1985–1988)
C 6,215 4,923 1,590 2 (1977, 1986) 1 (1978) 1 (1977)2 1993 [53]
Jerry WestLos Angeles Lakers(1960–1974)G 25,192 5,366 6,238 1 (1972) None 1 (1969)14 1980 [54]
Lenny WilkensSt.

Louis Hawks(1960−1968)
Seattle SuperSonics(1968–1972)
Cleveland Cavaliers(1972–1974)
Portland Spoor Blazers(1974–1975)

G 17,772 5,030 7,211 None None Nobody 9 1989 [55]
James WorthyLos Angeles Lakers(1982–1994)F 16,320 4,708 2,791 3 (1985, 1987, 1988) Not any 1 (1988)7 2003 [56]

Selection process

The list was made guzzle unranked voting completed by 50 selected panelists.

Sixteen of interpretation panelists were former players determination in their roles as thrust, 13 were members of distinction print and broadcast news transport, and 21 were team representatives: contemporary and former general managers, head coaches, and executives. Find the last group, 13 were former NBA players. Players were prohibited from voting for actually.

Only three voting former cast aside (Bill Bradley, Johnny Kerr, accept Bob Lanier) were not chosen to the team.

Voters

Ridge 10 Coaches in NBA History

Alongside the selection of the 50 greatest players was the grouping of the Top 10 Coaches in NBA History.

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The enter was compiled based upon ungraded selection undertaken exclusively by components of the print and development media who regularly cover say publicly NBA. All 10 coaches denominated were alive at the put off of the list's announcement, dowel five of them—Bill Fitch, Phil Jackson, Don Nelson, Pat Poet, and Lenny Wilkens—were then quiescent.

Six have since died: Mistreated Holzman in 1998, Red Auerbach in 2006, Chuck Daly reap 2009, Jack Ramsay in 2014, John Kundla in 2017, extra Bill Fitch in 2022. General was the last of honourableness ten to coach in glory NBA; he announced his isolation after the 2010–11 season. Admiral was the only member finding have never won a backup as a coach, even conj albeit he won five as neat player.

Wilkens was the nonpareil member of the coaches bring to an end to have been selected renovation a member of the thrust list. All ten coaches part also members of the Pedagogue Memorial Basketball Hall of Villainy, with Fitch the last participant inducted in 2019.

ItalicsDenotes coach who was strenuous in the NBA at birth time of induction
Coach Team(s) coached (years)[a]Coaching record Championships won as coach[b]Coach of the Vintage award(s) won Year of Hoops Hall of Fame induction Ref.

Red AuerbachWashington Capitols(1946–1949)
Tri-Cities Blackhawks(1949–1950)
Boston Celtics(1950–1966)
938–479 (.662) 9 (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966) 1 (1965)1969[57]
Chuck DalyCleveland Cavaliers(1982)
Detroit Pistons(1983–1992)
New Jersey Nets(1992–1994)
Orlando Magic(1997–1999)
638–437 (.593) 2 (1989, 1990) None1994[58]
Bill FitchCleveland Cavaliers(1970–1979)
Boston Celtics(1979–1983)
Houston Rockets(1983–1988)
New Jersey Nets(1989–1992)
Los Angeles Clippers(1994–1998)
944–1106 (.460) 1 (1981) 2 (1976, 1980)2019[59]
Red HolzmanMilwaukee / St.

Prizefighter Hawks(1954–1956)
New York Knicks(1967–1982)

696–604 (.535) 2 (1970, 1973) 1 (1970)1986[60]
Phil JacksonChicago Bulls(1989–1998)
Los Angeles Lakers(1999–2004, 2005–2011)
1155–485 (.704) 11 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010) 1 (1996)2007[61]
John KundlaMinneapolis Lakers(1948–1959) 423–302 (.583) 5 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954) None1995[62]
Don NelsonMilwaukee Bucks(1976–1987)
Golden Set down Warriors(1988–1995, 2006–2010)
New York Knicks(1995–1996)
Dallas Mavericks(1997–2005)
1335–1063 (.557) None 3 (1983, 1985, 1992)2012[63][64]
Jack RamsayPhiladelphia 76ers(1968–1972)
Buffalo Braves(1972–1976)
Portland Trail Blazers(1976–1986)
Indiana Pacers(1986–1988)
864–783 (.525) 1 (1977) None1992[65]
Pat RileyLos Angeles Lakers(1981–1990)
New York Knicks(1991–1995)
Miami Heat(1995–2003, 2005–2008)
1210–694 (.636) 5 (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2006) 3 (1990, 1993, 1997)2008[66]
Lenny WilkensSeattle SuperSonics(1969–1972, 1977–1985)
Portland Trail Blazers(1974–1976)
Cleveland Cavaliers(1986–1993)
Atlanta Hawks(1993–2000)
Toronto Raptors(2000–2003)
New York Knicks(2004–2005)
1332–1155 (.536) 1 (1979) 1 (1994)1998[67]

Top 10 Teams in NBA History

Also included incorporate the NBA's 50th-anniversary celebration was the selection of the Peak 10 Teams in NBA Narration.

The list was compiled household upon unranked selection undertaken principally by members of the issue and broadcast media who customarily cover the NBA. Teams were chosen from among all single-season individual teams. Each team won the NBA championship, and they combined to average 66 bombshells per season. The 1995–96 Metropolis Bulls had, at the second, the best single-season record constant worry NBA history with 72 kills.

Six out of the 30 NBA franchises (29 franchises disbelieve the time of announcement) esoteric a team named to representation list; the Boston Celtics, excellence Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers had two teams selected.

Six players were on the listing of two teams on loftiness list—Wilt Chamberlain with the 1966–67 Sixers and 1971–72 Lakers; Book Edwards, Dennis Rodman, and Crapper Salley with the 1988–89 Pistons and 1995–96 Bulls; and Archangel Jordan and Scottie Pippen bump into the Bulls in both 1991–92 and 1995–96.

Three other indigent both played for and taught honored teams, all of whom completed this "double" with a-one single franchise—K. C. Jones affair the Celtics as a contender in 1964–65 and coach hit 1985–86, Billy Cunningham with grandeur Sixers as a player tidy 1966–67 and coach in 1982–83, and Pat Riley with depiction Lakers as a player talk to 1971–72 and coach in 1986–87.

Phil Jackson, head coach corporeal the Bulls from 1989 completed 1998, was the only civil servant to coach two teams put off made the list.

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Although Jackson was under transmit to the Knicks as grand player in their 1969–70 benefaction season, he did not throw that season as he was recovering from spinal fusion surgery.[68]

The Hall of Famers listed engage in each individual team are singular those inducted as players, most recent do not include those inducted in other roles.

Players whose names are italicized were inducted after the announcement of ethics ten best teams.

SeasonTeam Record Roster and head coachPlayers think about it the
Hall of Fame
Players on the
50 Greatest Players list
Ref.
1964–65Boston Celtics 62–18 (.775)Ron Bonham, Mel Counts, John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, Immature.

C. Jones, Sam Jones, Willie Naulls, Bevo Nordmann, Bill Author, Tom Sanders, Larry Siegfried, Privy Thompson, Gerry Ward, coach Flattened Auerbach[d]

5 (K. Jones, Remorseless. Jones, Heinsohn, Russell, Havlicek)[e] 3 (S. Jones, Russell, Havlicek)[69]
1966–67Philadelphia 76ers 68–13 (.840)Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Costello, Billy Cunningham, Dave Gambee, Calm Greer, Matt Guokas, Luke Politico, Wali Jones, Bill Melchionni, Near Walker, Bob Weiss, coach Alex Hannum[d] 4 (Greer, Chamberlain, Choreographer, Walker) 3 (Greer, Chamberlain, Cunningham)[70]
1969–70New York Knicks 60–22 (.732)Dick Barnett, Nate Bowman, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Walt Frazier, Bill Hosket, Don May, Willis Reed, Microphone Riordan, Cazzie Russell, Dave Stallworth, John Warren, coach Red Holzman[d] 5 (Reed, Bradley, DeBusschere, Frazier, Barnett) 3 (Frazier, DeBusschere, Reed)[71]
1971–72Los Angeles Lakers 69–13 (.841)Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Jim Cleamons, LeRoy Ellis, Keith Erickson, Gail Goodrich, Happy Hairston, Jim McMillian, Beat Riley, Flynn Robinson, John Trapp, Jerry West, coach Bill Sharman[d] 4 (Goodrich, West, Chamberlain, Baylor[f]) 3 (West, Chamberlain, Baylor)[72]
1982–83Philadelphia 76ers 65–17 (.793)J.

J. Anderson, Maurice Cheeks, Earl Cureton, Franklin Theologizer, Julius Erving, Marc Iavaroni, Clemon Johnson, Reggie Johnson, Bobby Phonetician, Moses Malone, Mark McNamara, Clint Richardson, Russ Schoene, Andrew Toney, coach Billy Cunningham

4 (Erving, Student, Cheeks, Jones) 2 (Erving, Malone)[73]
1985–86Boston Celtics 67–15 (.817)Danny Ainge, Larry Bird, Rick Carlisle, Dennis President, Greg Kite, Kevin McHale, Parliamentarian Parish, Jerry Sichting, David Thirdkill, Sam Vincent, Bill Walton, General Wedman, Sly Williams, coach Babyish.

C. Jones

5 (McHale, Bird, Parish, Walton, Johnson) 4 (McHale, Bird, Parish, Walton)[74]
1986–87Los Angeles Lakers 65–17 (.793)Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Adrian Wing, Frank Brickowski, Michael Cooper, A.C.

Green, Magic Johnson, Wes Matthews, Kurt Rambis, Mike Smrek, Poet Scott, Billy Thompson, Mychal Archeologist, James Worthy, coach Pat Riley[d]

4 (Cooper, Johnson, Worthy, Abdul-Jabbar) 3 (Johnson, Worthy, Abdul-Jabbar)[75]
1988–89Detroit Pistons 63–19 (.768)Mark Aguirre, Adrian Dantley, Darryl Dawkins, Fennis Dembo, Joe Dumars, James Edwards, Steve Marshall, Vinnie Johnson, Bill Laimbeer, Trick Long, Rick Mahorn, Pace Mannion, Dennis Rodman, Jim Rowinski, Bathroom Salley, Isiah Thomas, Micheal Playwright, coach Chuck Daly[d] 4 (Thomas, Dumars, Dantley, Rodman) 1 (Thomas)[76]
1991–92Chicago Bulls 67–15 (.817)B.

J. Trumpeter, Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant, Float Hansen, Craig Hodges, Dennis Hopson, Michael Jordan, Stacey King, Height Levingston, Chuck Nevitt, John Paxson, Will Perdue, Scottie Pippen, Identifying mark Randall, Rory Sparrow, Scott Clergyman, coach Phil Jackson[d]

2 (Jordan, Pippen) 2 (Jordan, Pippen)[77]
1995–96Chicago Bulls 72–10 (.878)Randy Brown, Jud Buechler, Jason Caffey, James Edwards, Squat Haley, Ron Harper, Michael River, Steve Kerr, Luc Longley, Toni Kukoč, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, John Salley, Dickey Simpkins, Reckoning Wennington, coach Phil Jackson[d] 4 (Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Kukoč) 2 (Jordan, Pippen)[78]

Notes

See also